“I’m meant to be with this group:” How Jake Walman has helped this playoff run

Care to guess who leads the Edmonton Oilers in blocked shots?

I’ll give you a hint: his plus/minus is one below Leon Draisaitl’s (12 to 11).

I’ll give you another hint: he was a recent-ish trade from the San Jose Sharks who slid into the lineup rather seamlessly.

I am, of course, talking about Jake Walman with 47 blocked shots over 17 playoff games this season, 13 more than the next guy, and the backbone of the Oilers’ defence in front of their crease.

He’s not blocking as many shots as Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, but he’s done a heck of a job trying, and we’re not the only ones to notice.

“One thing I didn’t know about Jake was how many block shots he had,” explained Kris Knoblauch during an off-day press conference. “The first game he played with us, he had five or six. And last night, I know he had about three or four, and he’s willing to put his body in front of the puck and make it harder for them to score. He’s also physical. He had some big hits last night.

“So nice surprise. We (only) knew we were getting a smart, good-skating defenseman, some offensive flair.”

He came in at the right time, filled some holes, and if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, he’ll be worth the conditional first-round pick in 2026 it took to get him.

That is, if he keeps playing in the same manner that got him here, which is why a blocked shot to the knee early in game one and the following looks of discomfort were so concerning.

As any sports reporter would, we asked: Is Walman’s knee injured? Is everyone good to play?

“Everyone’s good to go,” per Knoblauch.

While that’s a relief.

Whether or not it’s a minor discomfort, a season-ending injury in December, or anything in between, Walman will play; he means too much.

He blocks too many shots.

He makes fans as comfortable with the third line pairing as they are with the first.

And he doesn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I’m meant to be here with this group,” added Walman. “I always wanted to play meaningful games, you don’t really know if that’s going to come throughout your career, but (I’m) really proud to be in this moment right now, and I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and help the group.

“Looking back in a couple of months, this will be cool, but right now, I’m just trying to kind of ride the wave and live in the moment.”

Another question we asked, how important has Walman been to this playoff run?

“I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jake, among others, but Jake’s game was tremendous, especially missing Ekholm,” answered Knoblauch. “We needed guys to step in for Ekholm. (Walman) was one of those guys, and when we got Jake, we wanted puck-moving defenseman, some agilities and maybe a little more scoring.

“And yes, he gave us all that. He could probably be on the first unit power play if we needed him, but I didn’t know about his all-around game. At trade deadline, we wanted players with versatility. He’s played with every single other defenseman. He’s been on the left side, he’s been on the right side, and right now, playing a lot with Klingberg.

“But back to your answer, his role on this run has been very important.”

Walman’s role goes all the way back to when Connor McDavid semi-joked about the Oilers’ defence, and that they can play it. That despite the offensive magnitude scoring goals for the Oilers, it’s the shutdown players in the back end that have pushed them to the Stanley Cup Final.

And it’ll be those players that win it.